Formal addiction treatment centers can help individuals and families that are struggling with Ambien abuse. Ambien was initially created to mimic the effects of benzodiazepines, without the potential for abuse and addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with snorting Ambien, knowing the signs of overdose could save a life.
It’s important to know the symptoms of an Ambien overdose, especially if a person takes more than one prescription. High doses of Ambien may cause a person to drive while asleep, even if it’s the morning after their nighttime dose. Ambien works to slow down activity in the brain, and help people fall asleep. If a person snorts long-acting Ambien CR, they could experience life-threatening symptoms.
Even when a person does not overdose, snorting raises the risk of serious side effects. Some people attempt to crush Ambien before snorting it, but doing so alters how the medication is absorbed and increases the risk of overdose. If a person snorts Ambien, they may engage in risky behaviors, such as driving or cooking while asleep.
When drug tolerance and physical dependence to zolpidem develop, treatment usually entails a gradual dose reduction over a period of months to minimize withdrawal symptoms, which can resemble those seen during benzodiazepine withdrawal. While flumazenil, a GABAA receptor antagonist, can reverse zolpidem’s effects, usually supportive care is all that is recommended in overdose. This fast absorption accelerates the onset of effects and increases the concentration of the drug in the body, which greatly raises the risk of overdose.
Adverse effects
- Similar to other sedative-hypnotics, Ambien (zolpidem) prescriptions are given to individuals who have difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Our individualized treatment programs offer an enriching rehabilitation experience tailored to suit your needs.
- This class of medication can lead to significant side effects, and symptoms may worsen if a person snorts Ambien.
- Common side effects include daytime sleepiness, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
- Once abuse and addiction are present, it’s incredibly difficult to stop without professional help.
This can include dangerous behaviors like wandering, driving, or aggressive actions toward others — all while unaware. People who snort Ambien often find themselves unable to sleep or relax without it. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple warnings about Ambien’s potential for dangerous sleep behaviors, such as sleep-driving or eating while unconscious.
What Happens When You Snort Ambien?
Read here to find out about the dangers of Ambien abuse, the effects caused by snorting Ambien, and the treatment options available. This risk is present in people taking Ambien as prescribed, but it is heightened if the drug is abused. Abusing this drug in any way, including snorting it, can increase the risk of these behaviors.
Ambien Overdose Signs and Symptoms
This intoxicated state can put a person at risk of accidental injury, risky or illegal behaviors, and unprotected sex. Since people who snort Ambien are more likely to become physically dependent on the substance, they are also likely to use more of it over an extended period of time. It also increases the risk for dangerous side effects, damage to the nose and other areas of the body, and accidental overdose. Crushing and snorting pills help increase the surface area and bioavailability of the substance. It can cause damage to the nose, accidental overdose, and unconscious behaviors while sleeping.
Snorting Ambien: Side Effects, Overdose, & Treatment
They may also include strong cravings for Ambien that can be difficult to deny. In addition to physical reactions, withdrawal symptoms can also be mentally and emotionally challenging. Quitting in this way can be challenging because of withdrawal symptoms, which may present themselves similarly to alcohol withdrawals. When this occurs, the user may experience adverse reactions, extreme levels of sedation, and even overdose. This means that side effects not only kick in quicker but also occur more intensely.
You may report side effects to FDA at FDA-1088. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. This list may not describe all possible side effects. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Be sure to read this information carefully each time. Always follow your care team’s advice. Do not stop taking this medication on your own. Your care team may want to gradually reduce the dose. Do not take your medication more often than directed. It is better to take this medication on an empty stomach and only when you are ready for bed.
When drugs are inhaled, the substance makes it into the brain and dissolves quicker than it would if it were taken orally. For those who are addicted to the drug, snorting Ambien is a quicker way to get high. All of these medications fall under a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. Today we’re looking into what snorting Ambien does and why people would do this in the first place. Ambien is the brand name for a sleep-aid called zolpidem, which is normally prescribed to adults with insomnia. The Villa provides support and help for individuals with addiction to Ambien or other prescription drugs.
Someone who abuses Ambien over an extended period of time may notice that the medication starts to become less and less effective. If you are currently experiencing problems with Ambien abuse or any other form of drug use, now is the best time to seek help. Traversing withdrawal symptoms is difficult and an important step in the recovery process, but there’s more to treating addiction than detox. To end their addiction, people abusing Ambien may stop taking it abruptly.
- Need a primary care doctor or a specialist?
- Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
- Everyone reacts differently to medications and individuals may experience some or none of the above.
- Ambien is thought to have a lower risk of abuse and addiction than benzodiazepines; however, these drugs are not without their risks.
Dangers of Snorting Ambien
The likelihood of damage increases with coarser and contaminated substances. Ambien is a fairly powerful sedative that should not be snorted. Don’t wait for the dangers of insufflation to damage your health – call now to get started on the road to recovery by learning about your treatment options. Insufflation causes the substance to hit the bloodstream much faster, producing a more intense high. Furthermore, Ambien produces short term effects similar to those of alcohol.
Ambien Abuse Increases The Risk of Dangerous Sleep-Related Behaviors
This is based in part on a 2012 review which found that zolpidem’s effectiveness is nearly as much due to psychological effects as to the medication itself. Guidelines from NICE, the European Sleep Research Society, and the American College of Physicians recommend medication for insomnia (including possible zolpidem) only as a second-line treatment after non-pharmacological treatment options have been tried (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia). Common side effects include daytime sleepiness, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. It decreases the time to sleep onset by about fifteen minutes and at larger doses helps people stay asleep longer.
However, crushing Ambien or snorting sleeping pills is never recommended. Those wondering what happens if you snort sleeping pills should understand that the nasal route bypasses normal metabolism, making side effects more intense and unpredictable. Ambien contains zolpidem and is used to treat insomnia or for those who cannot fall asleep.
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. So, if you’re tempted to snort Ambien for a quick high, think twice about the toll it could take on your nose. Cirque Lodge is considered among our colleagues, as one of, if not the premium drug and alcohol rehab facility in the country. Our individualized treatment programs offer an enriching rehabilitation experience tailored to suit your needs. If you believe you or a loved one is living with a substance use disorder, contact us today to see how we can help you. This is why we create individualized treatment plans for all of our clients, combining a range of therapies to find the most effective treatment for you.
The incident prompted Sanofi, the snorting zolpidem manufacturer of Ambien, to issue a public statement clarifying that “racism is not a known side effect” of the medication. The United States patent for zolpidem was held by the French pharmaceutical corporation Sanofi-Aventis. As of 2009update, nonmedical use of zolpidem is common for some adolescents.
Understanding Addiction
Misusing Ambien in any form can lead to addiction, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. Aside from physical dangers, snorting Ambien can have serious consequences for your mental health and overall well-being. We know that addiction is not a choice and aim to provide the most effective treatment in a supportive environment to help you on your road to recovery. Cirque Lodge offers addiction treatment programs in a beautiful location set in the idyllic and serene Rocky Mountains of Utah. Treatment centers can provide help for individuals and families that are struggling with substance abuse. This means that when an individual attempts to stop taking the substance, they are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.